Spartans Fall Short to Flagler

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa Spartans fall to Flagler despite big nights from Harvey and Williams

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: Flagler Saints 85, Tampa Spartans 75

Records: Tampa (5-6, 1-2 SSC), Flagler (7-3)

Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla.

All-Time: Spartans receive their first program loss to the Saints to become 3-1.

HOW IT HAPPENED

1st HALF

After Bryan Williams made a jumper to take a 4-2 Spartans lead, the Saints would respond with a 15-5 scoring run to take a 19-7 lead. Tampa would cut into their 12-point deficit by cutting it to a 22-17 score with made free throws by Williams. Despite Tampa cutting their deficit to five, that is the closest they would get before the Saints headed into the half with a huge lead. | Score: 44-28 Flagler

2nd HALF

Flagler would leave right where they left off going into the half, with four straight points before Jaxon Toney made a 3-pointer to cut Tampa's deficit to seventeen. After the Saints made a layup to expand their lead to the largest of the night at twenty-one, Tampa would not quit. The Spartans would respond with a 9-1 run wrapped up by a Williams three-pointer. The Saints wouldn't let the Spartans get any closer for the next fifteen minutes, and Tampa would fall short. | Score: 85-75 Flagler  

INSIDE THE STATS

• De'Andre Harvey led all Spartans with 23 points.
• Williams ended with 19 points, 2 steals, 3 boards, and 3 assists.
• Spartans had 9 different scorers.

BEYOND THE BOX

• Tampa scored 34 points in the paint.
• Tampa had only 12 turnovers compared to Flagler's 17.
• Tampa shot 44% from the floor but only 50% from the line.

UP NEXT: The University of Tampa Spartans will have roughly two weeks off before they travel to Boca Raton for their second road conference matchup against Lynn on Saturday, Dec. 30, at 4:00 P.M.